Portable and compact grill apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable and compact grill apparatus can be implemented in the form of free standing portable propane fueled cooking device, which utilizes one or more legs (e.g., four legs) to support the cooking surface. The device permits a standard propane tank to fit between the legs and directly under the cooking surface. The design permits one of the legs to be removed (by rotating it away from the center) to accommodate the exchange of the propane unit (required for refill of fuel). This design creates a very compact unit due to the fact that the fuel tank, burner and cooking surface all fit in a vertical column thus requiring minimal space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.60/834,565 titled “Portable and Compact Grill Apparatus” and filed Jul.28, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments are generally related to grill devices and systems.Embodiments are also related to portable grill devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a common practice to barbecue stakes, chops, hot dogs andhamburgers on the grill over a charcoal fire. More recently, the outdoorcookout has begun to include other foods such as those best cooked in acooking utensil known as a “wok”. The use of the wok involves cookingtechniques incorporating a minimum amount of fats and oils. At timesvegetables and meats are cooked for a very short time at high heats. Thetypical stir-fly recipe calls for a cooking time of less then fiveminutes. Such rapid cooking combined with the use of small quantities offat provides substantial health benefits because less fat is absorbed inthe food compared with traditional Western style frying. In addition,the wok style of cooking tends to seal the flavor into the food,rendering it more appealing to the palate.

The wok can be easily cleaned and readily reusable for cooking severalitems on the same menu. The rounded smooth metal surface may be wipedout or dumped for cleaning with little or no residue. Although the wokhas many culinary advantages because of its shape, it has fundamentalinstability problems because of its generally hemispherical shape andrelatively small surface on which to rest. The wok was originallydeveloped to be placed directly on hollowed-out sections of coals on theground and/or on rings with a wide base fire built below. The wok doesnot adapt well to cooking on modern ranges and as a result a number ofdevices have been suggested as a substitute for the above mentionedhollowed-out section of coals on the ground.

One of the problems with the use of a wok in combination with an outdoorgrill is that the wok needs a consistent fuel source, such as a propanetank. The propane tanks may be difficult to move in and out of place forefficient heating operations. The wok should be supported in place inorder to provide fuel for heating the wok.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed and isnot intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of thevarious aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entirespecification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

It is therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for animproved grill apparatus.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for a compactand portable grill apparatus.

The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can nowbe achieved as described herein. A portable and compact grill apparatusis disclosed, which can be implemented in the form of free standingportable propane fueled cooking device, which utilizes one or more legs(e.g., four legs) to support the cooking surface. The device isconstructed to permit a standard propane tank to fit between the legsand directly under the cooking surface. The design permits one of thelegs to be removed (by rotating it away from the center) to accommodatethe exchange of the propane unit (for refill of fuel). This designcreates a very compact unit due to the fact that the fuel tank, burnerand cooking surface all fit in a vertical column thus requiring minimalspace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification,further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a portable and compact grillapparatus, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferredembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the portable and compact grillapparatus depicted in FIG. 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a portable and compact grill apparatusdepicting the rotation of one leg to allow removal of a fuel source, inaccordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the base plate depicted in FIGS. 1-2,in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a leg, which can be implemented inaccordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the top plate depicted in FIGS. 1-2, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a portable and compact grill apparatusincluding a burner and cooking surface, in accordance with a preferredembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limitingexamples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least oneembodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a portable and compact grill apparatus100, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment.The portable grill apparatus 100 generally includes the use of aremovable fuel source 102, which can be provided as, for example, aportable propane fuel tank. Fuel source 102 can thus be a removablepropane tank. The apparatus 100 also includes a cooking surface (notshown in FIG. 1) associated with a burner (also not shown in FIG. 1).The cooking surface and the burner are located proximate to the fuelsource 102, which provides a fuel for heating the cooking surface viathe burner. A plurality of legs 104, 106 can support the cooking surfaceand the top plate 108. Additionally, a base plate 114 can be providedwhich supports the fuel source 102. The base plate 114 also supportslegs 104, 106 and so forth. The apparatus 100, including its variouscomponents and parts, is preferably formed from a steel material, but itcan be appreciated that other types of materials may also be utilizeddepending upon design considerations.

The fuel source 102 removably sits between the legs 104, 106 anddirectly beneath the cooking surface, which is supported by a top plate108. One or more of the legs 104, 106 is removable in order accommodatean exchange of the fuel source 102 or refuel the fuel source 102. Eachof the legs 104, 106 can be configured to include respective areas 110,112 that provide customized artwork. One or more of the legs 104, 106can include a notch such as notch 111 into which the top plate 108 canslide. The notch 111 allows a removable leg 104 or 106 to latch into asecure position, while the other notches can be used to a “fit up” andweld during the production process. Such a notch 111 secures the topplate 108 into a horizontal position and also assists in maintaining awelded connection between the top plate 108 and the leg 106. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the notch 111 can be formed into the area112 that is configured for customized artwork or functional artplacement or designs (e.g., metal artwork or designs). Although theburner and cooking surface (e.g. a work) are not shown in FIG. 1, it canbe appreciated that the fuel source 102, the burner and the cookingsurface can be arranged and located in a vertical column in order tolimit spacing thereof and provide for a compact configuration for theportable cooking apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the portable and compact grillapparatus 100 depicted in FIG. 1, in accordance with a preferredembodiment. Note that in FIGS. 1-2, identical or similar parts orelements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. In thetop view depicted in FIG. 2, the base plate 114 is illustrated withrespect to the legs 104, 106 which are disposed opposite one another andlegs 107, 109 which are also disposed opposite one another. Four legs104, 106 and 107,109 are thus shown in FIG. 2. It can be appreciatedthat fewer or more legs may be implemented in accordance withalternative embodiments. The top plate 108 is also shown in FIG. 2 withrespect to the base plate 114. One or more of the legs 104, 106 and 107,109 can be removable in order to allow for the installation and removalof the fuel source 102 depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a of a portable and compact grillapparatus 300, which can be implemented in accordance with analternative embodiment. The portable grill apparatus 300 generallyincludes the use of a removable fuel source 302, which can be providedas, for example, a portable propane fuel tank. Fuel source 302 can thusbe a removable propane tank. The apparatus 300 also includes a cookingsurface (not shown in FIG. 3) associated with a burner (also not shownin FIG. 3). The cooking surface and the burner are located proximate tothe fuel source 302, which provides a fuel for heating the cookingsurface via the burner. A plurality of legs 304, 306 can support thecooking surface and the top plate 308. Note that the legs 304, 306depicted in FIG. 3 are analogous to the legs 104, 106 depicted in FIG.1.

Additionally, a base plate 314 (which is analogous to the base plate 114of FIG. 1) can be provided which supports the fuel source 302. Arrow 313depicted in FIG. 3 indicates that the removable legs 304 and/or 306 canbe configured to rotate outward from the propane tank or fuel source302. Arrow 315 illustrated in FIG. 3, on the other hand, indicates thatafter a leg 304 and/or 306 has cleared the notch in the top plate 308,the leg 304 or 306 can be pulled up and away from the fuel source 302.Note that the apparatus 300, including its various components and parts,is preferably formed from a steel material, but it can be appreciatedthat other types of materials may also be utilized depending upon designconsiderations.

The fuel source 302 removably sits between the legs 304, 306 anddirectly beneath the cooking surface. One or more of the legs 304, 306(which is supported by the base plate 314 and in turn supports the topplate 308) is removable in order accommodate an exchange of the fuelsource 302 or refuel the fuel source 302. Each of the legs 304, 306 canbe configured to include respective areas 310, 312 that providecustomized artwork (e.g., functional art). Note that the primarydifference between the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is inthe presentation of the customized artwork in areas 310, 312. FIG. 3 isprovided herein to demonstrate that different customized artwork may beavailable in areas 310, 312. Although the burner and cooking surface(e.g. a work) are not shown in FIG. 3, it can be appreciated that thefuel source 302, the burner and the cooking surface can be arranged andlocated in a vertical column in order to limit spacing thereof andprovide for a compact configuration for the portable cooking apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the base plate 114 depicted in FIGS.1-2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Note that in FIGS. 1-2and 4, identical parts or elements are generally indicated by identicalreference numerals. The base plate 114 depicted in FIG. 4 generallyincludes one or more slots 402, 404, 406, and 408, which receive one ormore of the legs 107, 104, 106, 109 depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Leg 107, forexample, may slide into slot 402. The other slots/legs operate withrespect to one another in a similar arrangement. Additionally, an areacan be provided upon which a company logo 407 or trademark may beplaced. Such a logo 407 is, of course, merely optional and is notconsidered a limiting feature of the disclosed embodiments. Anotherproduct logo trademark 409 (e.g., “DISC IT”) can also be cut into thebase plate 114.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a leg 500, which can be implemented inaccordance with a preferred or alternative embodiment. Note that leg 500can be implemented in place of or in accordance with legs 107, 104, 106,109 and/or legs 304, 306, depending upon design considerations. Leg 500generally includes a curved portion 502 that is so shaped to support andthe fuel source 102 and/or 302. Leg 500 includes a tab 506 that caninsert into the base plates 114, 314. Leg 500 also can be configured toinclude a notch 508 for the top plates 108, 308. The notch 508 issimilar to the notch 111 depicted in FIG. 1. A tab 506 generally insertsinto the base plate 114. It can be appreciated that the particularconfiguration and artwork associated with leg 500 depicted in FIG. 5represents merely one possible embodiment. Other configurations anddesigns or artwork may be implemented in accordance with the embodimentsdisclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of theoverall concept.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the top plate 108 depicted in FIGS.1-2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The top plateincorporates slots 601, 602 and/or 603, thereby allowing the burner (notshown in FIG. 6) to be bolted to the top plate 108. The top plate 108can also be configured to include notches 604, 605, 606 and/or 607,which allow the legs 104, 106, 107 and 109 to locate and allow one ofthe legs (e.g., removable leg 104, which may includes artwork such asartwork 112).

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a portable and compact grill apparatus700 that includes a burner 704 and a cooking surface 702, in accordancewith an alternative embodiment. Note that in FIGS. 1-7, identical orsimilar parts or elements are generally indicated by identical referencenumerals. The apparatus 700 generally includes the fuel source 102(i.e., removable propane tank) and cooking surface 102 (e.g., aWok-shaped cooking surface) in association with the burner 704.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Also thatvarious presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequentlymade by those skilled in the art which are also intended to beencompassed by the following claims.

1. A portable cooking method, comprising: providing a removable fuelsource comprising a propane tank; associating a cooking surface with aburner; associating said burner with a top plate; supporting said topplate with a plurality of legs; and configuring said plurality of legsto support said removable fuel source wherein said removable fuel sourceis centrally disposed between said plurality of legs, and wherein atleast one leg of said plurality of legs is removable by outward rotationaway from said removable fuel source as said top plate is supported by aplurality of non-removable legs of said plurality of legs in orderaccommodate an exchange of said removable fuel source or refuel saidremovable fuel source.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprisingconfiguring said top plate with at least one horizontal interlockingnotch which interlocks with a notch in said at least one leg.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising locating said removable fuelsource, said burner and said cooking surface in a vertical column inorder to limit spacing thereof and provide for a compact configurationfor said portable cooking apparatus.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising providing a base plate for supporting said removable fuelsource and said plurality of legs.
 5. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: connecting a top plate that supports said burner to saidremovable fuel source, wherein said burner provides heat to said cookingsurface.
 6. A portable grill apparatus comprising: a portable fuelsource; a top plate; a base plate; a plurality of legs supporting saidtop plate and being connected to said base plate, said plurality of legscomprising horizontal notches into which said top plate fits and issecured in a horizontal position parallel to said base plate; at leastone removable leg having a notch into which said top plate is insertedand a tab portion removably inserted into said base plate such that saidremovable leg can be removed from said grill apparatus by rotation ofsaid removable leg away from said top plate and removal of said tabportion from said base plate; wherein said top plate, said base plate,said plurality of legs and said at least one removable leg form ahousing for said portable fuel source wherein said portable fuel sourceis located atop said base plate, is surrounded by said plurality of legsand said at least one removable leg, and is located below said topplate; and a burner located above said top plate wherein said portablefuel source provides fuel for heating a cooking surface via said burner.7. The portable grill apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tab portionrotates in a notch in said base plate.
 8. The portable grill apparatusof claim 6 wherein said cooking surface comprises a wok.
 9. The portablegrill apparatus of claim 6 wherein said top plate includes a pluralityof interlocking notches which interlock with said horizontal notches insaid plurality of legs.
 10. The portable grill apparatus of claim 6wherein said portable fuel source comprises a propane tank.
 11. Theportable grill apparatus of claim 6 wherein said burner is shaped tosupport a wok-type cooking surface.